Further study details as provided by VA Office of Research and Development:

Estimated Enrollment:

48

Study Start Date:

January 2001

Study Completion Date:

December 2003

Detailed Description:

Gait training is often delayed during the rehabilitation process because gait is thought to require preparation such as improved strength, balance, and coordination before the initiation of this more complex and demanding activity. We propose a new approach to perform early gait training with acute stroke patients, which consists of Supported Treadmill Ambulation Training (STAT) combined with conventional rehabilitation for achieving functional ambulation.

The STAT group will develop better functional outcomes (Functional Independence Measurement total scores and on the transfers and locomotion subscales) as compared to stroke patients receiving regular rehabilitation care.

Since stroke patients have reduced walking capability, poor health status, decreased functional capacity, as well as a sedentary lifestyle, the specific objectives of this project are:

Compare the effects of regular inpatient stroke rehabilitation to regular stroke rehabilitation combined with STAT after an acute stroke on gait performance;

Compare the effects of regular inpatient stroke rehabilitation to regular rehabilitation combined with STAT after an acute stroke on functional outcomes, as defined by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM);

Compare the effects of regular inpatient stroke rehabilitation to regular stroke rehabilitation combined with STAT after an acute stroke on the oxygen consumption during a seated exercise task.

Timetable: This 3-year project will compare the outcomes between two strategies of intervention during stroke rehabilitation. Admission, randomization, testing, intervention, reevaluation, and discharge will follow the time frame established by the facility while providing regular rehabilitation care for stroke patients. On average, the stroke rehabilitation process lasts two to three weeks.

Eligibility

Ages Eligible for Study:

18 Years and older (Adult, Senior)

Genders Eligible for Study:

Both

Accepts Healthy Volunteers:

No

Criteria

Recent unilateral stroke patients

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00037895

Locations

United States, Texas

VAMC

Houston, Texas, United States

Sponsors and Collaborators

VA Office of Research and Development

Investigators

OverallOfficial:

David Wolff, Ph.D., Special Assistant to the Director

Program Analysis and Review Section (PARS) VA Rehabilitation Research & Development Service

OverallOfficial:

Danielle Kerkovitch, Ph.D.

Program Analysis and Review Section (PARS), VA Rehabilitation Research and development Service